Cuisine: 7 Service: 6 Decor: 6 Value: 9 Overall: 7 I first came to Doc's back in summer of 2023 because I wanted to pig out on southern comfort food. Well, at $14.50 back then for the buffet, I thought I was in heaven. A huge array of choices that will induce the heart attack I was looking for. Price has obviously gone up a tick, but it's still a great deal imho. Since the restaurant was super busy, everything felt extremely fresh. As for mains, I guess I enjoyed the fried chicken a lot since I keep refilling ny plate with it. I also tried a little bit of everything else, including the bbq pulled pork, fried catfish nuggets, and meatloaf (Tuesday special). They were all good. As for sides, there were plenty to choose from. All the southern staples are here, like mac & cheese, collard greens, coleslaw, potato salad, hush puppies, etc. Don't forget to get some desserts too. I like their peach cobbler. A place like this can only survive in the south. I wish we had something remotely resembling Doc's back in NYC, but it'll never work. I'll just have to visit the south more often for gems like these. read more

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BBQ Buffet!? Doc's BBQ is a must stop for anyone that's into BBQ with a big appetite. The setup here is buffet style all you can eat BBQ and side. YES! All you can eat. What an amazing concept. I can say that the food quality is pretty awesome especially considering the buffet style restaurant. I've been twice now and both times the food was awesome and they don't pull back on anything here. The only issue is they do have some weird hours but for what you get and how they do things it's totally worth a trip during lunch. I highly recommend hitting this spot if you're a fan of BBQ and have ever felt like you didn't here get enough of your favorite BBQ dishes. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Seems to be a stable place over there near shop road. I probably could have not found this without the people I was with. Its kind of on a side road but still worth trying to find. Easy to locate with gps though. I went with the buffet and could have probably went back five times. Everything was good. The pulled pork was amazing and they had "real" baked Mac and cheese. None of that fake stove top stuff. I didn't get a pic of my second plate but I also got dessert and second serving of fried okra and pulled pork. For the price of the buffet you get your bang for your buck with a whole lot of flavor with it. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Fried chicken and hush puppies carry this buffet. I was disappointed by the sauces, doesnt seem like they have barbecue sauce. Their hot sauce is perfect to add to everything in the buffet. The dessert was really good as well but I was hoping for more banana slices in the pudding. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Fried Chicken Hush Puppies Potato Salad Green Beans Collard Greens - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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The team was friendly but the brisket sandwich was terrible. The meat was cut in the wrong direction and overcooked. We couldn't bite through the brisket patties on our sandwich. read more

Doc's BBQ is outstanding! I've eaten here at least a dozen times and each visit the food is fresh, the employees are nice and the restaurant is clean. The BBQ is easily some of the best in Columbia. The hash and rice is excellent, the fried fish is outstanding and the mac and cheese is excellent. It's a great spot for meetings too. I highly recommend Doc's BBQ! read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Front - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Good variety of options. Very clean. Friendly staff. Food is always hot and stocked. Recommend for a group or even just a quick lunch break.

Always great food ! Buffet is well organized and the food is hot and fresh . Plenty of meeting rooms available !

We were really great that we happened to pass this place today and decided to stop. The buffet for 2 came to $31 for lunch but the food was delicious. There were a lot of choices of meats - bbq, fried chicken, baked chicken, and fried catfish. Best to study the entire array of veggies before selecting lest you run out of room but it was extensive. I could have just eaten vegetables and been happy. The collards, lima beans and macaroni-n-cheese deserve special mention. The hush puppies were flavorful and fantastic. They had these biscuit slices that allow you to not fill up on bread but still get a taste of a good biscuit. For dessert, I got the cobbler and my husband got the banana pudding. We were both delighted with our choices. The dining room was clean, spacious and the service was great. read more

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Almost everything I tried was very good, wish there was more types of bbq meat (only pulled pork this day). However, the fried chicken and catfish were excellent. read more

Had a very nice lunch here recently. Doc's offers a clean, spacious comfortable space to fulfill your culinary desires. On the day I was there, the buffet included: pork bbq, chicken pot pie, fried catfish, catfish stew, green beans, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, rice, hash, gravy, banana pudding, chocolate pudding and apple cobbler and a few other dishes I can't remember. The all you can eat buffet plus drink comes in at roughy $17. All of the food was good and the place gets crowded by noon. The sign of a good restaurant! read more

OMG - I'd be a frequent guest if I lived in the area. When I'm back in town to visit my daughter at college, this is a must stop for me. Go in there hungry. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Fried chicken, corn bread muffins, collard greens, corn, rice & gravy, mac & cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

This was a great find heading up Rt77 to Galax Va. we got the buffet and it was very good. I wanted Barbeque. My husband got Catfish nuggets. They had collards and other veggies. Fried Chicken Barbeque chicken and wings. I had the Mac and cheese. Delicious. There was mashed potatoes and rice. I would definitely recommend this place. Oh and there was also pork rinds. The hush puppies are some of the best I've had anywhere. read more

Just amazing food. Great southern food with a little bit of a hometown feel. Gloves are provided to keep you safe and hand sanitizer is available as well. I've been here. I love it. Came here on a Saturday morning. Totally coming back. Now I'm coming back on a regular basis. My new favorite place. Everything is just yummy like it's been given a little kiss from heaven. Never had a bad meal or experience. Catfish,pulled pork,hash n rice,Mac N Cheese,Black Eyed Peas,Rice N Gravy,Fried Chicken,Peach Cobbler are among the stars at this Southern Delight of a Buffet. Make sure you wear your Fat Pants. Sit a spell. Take your shoes off. Y'all come back now ...ya here? read more

Came here during lunch and everyone in the south brings their appetite and som friends. Has the traditional Southern foods, collard greens and corn bread. If I greet up in the south I'd be 50 pounds heavier. Restaurant had a great atmosphere and attracted everyone in the community. Would come back. read more

Deeelisssh! I have been here twice and they have some of the best sides! I don't eat pork so I am very limited with my food there, but what I can eat is so good. I love the gravy and rice along with loving the Mac and cheese. Those are pretty much all the sides that I can eat. The fried chicken is great. I love the set-up of this place. They can fit many people in there. Go try them out! If you love BBQ, you will love Doc's read more

Tried their lunch buffet, was right before closing but nice buffet. I only had BBQ pork. But there was fish and chicken too. And 3 kinds of sauces. When down this way again I will try it again. read more

We've been to Doc's several times. I've used their catering for work-related events. It's is good BBQ overall. We dropped in today for some take out. The BBQ is good with a nice smile flavor. The sauces are rather sweet. The collards are good. The mac & cheese is really good. The ribs were especially good today (4.2.18). The fried chicken livers are sort of dry. Oh... this is one of the few places that serves hoecakes! Four stars only because there are better BBQ joints out there. But around Columbia, this is the best BBQ buffet. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Outside view - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Locals suggested the lunch, all-u-can-eat for $10 buffet, and I was introduced to perhaps the most ghastly dish I've seen on a buffet in the USA: "hash." Not hash brown potato: Nor was it Corned beef hash. Even my guides were somewhat unsure of the ingredients. Hash, in South Carolina, is a pork-based meat sauce eaten over rice. Somewhat stretching the imagination, one could consider it like a bolognese sauce over pasta. I tried it and survived, but much preferred the pulled pork with mustard sauce atop collard greens. read more

I'm having a food baby and Doc's is dat baby's Pa! Man, the food here is good. The people who work here, even better. The staff responsible for ensuring the hot bar stays stocked were on point. My visit was during the lunch crowd with 8 others and from the moment we entered it remained a positive experience. From the cashier to the hosts the customer service was great. There is a lunch buffet and if you'd like to add 3 items (sample size portions) from the Butcher's Block you can do so for a small surcharge of $3. I decided to pace myself and just enjoy whatever was on the buffet and there is plenty. From the REAL greens to the banana pudding, the food was prepared with some love and the vibe in this place is incredible. Of course you can expect a crowd during lunch but there was plenty of seating (front and annex of the restaurant) and NO ONE was on their cell phone in the buffet line. The line moved quickly and other patrons were courteous enough to explain how things work here. Frequented by locals and appreciated by first timers such as myself. Fire/EMS & Military receive a discount and the buffet comes w/a drink for about $10. My advice is to take a small serving of the items to allow you to go back for seconds and see what you really like. If in the area I will return here. All the items were well seasoned, flavorful and fresh. Check the hours prior to your visit to allow enough time to dine and sit back and reflect on things. read more

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Who cares about buffets I don't I always eat too dam much lol ! But I really enjoyed taking my 85 yr old grandad to get a a couple sandwiches here home and watch a good baseball game. The barbecue was good to me and my grandad like it or we wouldn't have come back. I would recommend coming here if you want to-go food and don't want to kill your self eating at the buffet table. Easy place to find near the football stadium on Shop rd. plenty of parking. read more

I shy away from steam table buffets I'm too young to die, but DOC's has got it down. Every item is fresh and prepared on the location. I've eaten there many times and every time I've seen the buffet items removed when they get down to 1/4 or so and refreshed with new items, never just topped up {see the near death experience}. Plate #1 photo from 9 oclock. contained good ole southern sides; greens cooked with meat, Hash on rice {a true SC thing folks}... mac & real cheese, fried catfish nuggets {fresh fish & crispy not oily}, baked beans {fresh no cans involved}. This was the starter plate. Plate #2 fresh corn casserole, more mac & cheese, a mountain of excellent BBQ {hey, it's all you can eat ;)) }, and very crispy fresh cole slaw. What should be chilled, is. What should be hot is steaming. Choice of mustard or vinegar red pepper sauces. Todays desert was butter, butter, butter infused crunchy topped peach cobbler. Yes I've got to use "fresh" yet again 'cause these peaches have never seen a can. Busy at lunch time. The fried chicken is legendary, but you just can't do it all in one sitting. read more

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First time in Columbia, SC and it was suggested that we eat at this place. I love BBQ and I figured it would be decent. Boy was I wrong. I feel in love with the mac & cheese and sweet potatoes. Both reminded me of my moms during Thanksgiving. I also loved the pulled pork with the sweet vinegar sauce. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I was in heaven. Also, let me give honorable mention to the sweet tea. I normally shy away from sweet tea because it is not sweet enough. I grew up having mine diabetic coma sweet which is how I like it. Doc's lived up to my expectations and I loved it!! I would highly recommend Doc's! We went for lunch and it was buffet style. The buffet consisted of the basics and was simple and oh so good. Lastly, they have this brownie dessert that is warm ooeey and gooey!!! mmmmm heaven in my mouth!!! read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

All you can eat BBQ buffet. Hard to beat at 10 bucks. Food was pretty good. Lots of variety but not a ton of veggies, which is expected, just know that going in. Fried chicken was cooked well but not that seasoned. Pulled pork was yummy, sweet mustard pulled pork was a tad too sweet. read more

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This is some of the best barbecue I've had in my entire life! They have good prices and the people are really nice. I wish I lived closer so I could eat here everyday. read more

Sooooooooo good! There wasn't anything on buffet I didn't like. I love to cook so eating out can sometimes be a let down because I paid for something I could've made better. The buffet was fresh and full of country food done right! Seasoned! Cooked with love! Just cause fried chicken and greens are on the menu doesn't mean you can call it "country cookin" My green beans were great! Baked beans were amazing! The wings cooked perfect! Not goey nor dried out. Mustard based BBQ sauce......perfect too! My favorite was the unique option of what grandma called hocake bread. It's almost like a fried biscuit. I could've cried! My only regret was I was on a short lunch break. I'm brutally honest so to brag this much means get there! I'm going back SOON! read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Brother and I had to attend to some family business this past week in downtown Columbia this past week. We got done earlier than expected and decided we didn't need to rush back and were looking for some good Q. We had Doc's a couple months ago as we were traveling for tailgating to see the Gamecocks play. We always get great bbq for our tailgating needs from here. We got to the buffet at 11:30. Wow, wow, wow!!! BBQ and fried chicken were delicious!!! Sides of collards and Mac cheese were the bomb.com. We were stuffed, but had to dry the nanner puddin. OMG!!! Freaking delicious!!! They only do lunch!!! You have got to stop by here!!! read more

I have lived in Columbia for quite a while and had never been to Doc's BBQ. My sister is a USC student and wanted to meet up for an early bird lunch, so we agreed upon Doc's. My SO has always raved about Doc's, but as someone who grew up in the low country where BBQ buffets are plentiful, I never paid much attention to his stellar endorsement. My first indication that this place could be life changing was that there were several people waiting at the front door to be let in, as we were there a few minutes before they open. We went in, paid the nice lady at the register (they give a student discount for you college kids), and started our buffet adventure. I'm pretty traditional as far as SC BBQ goes, so I opted for the hash and rice, the pulled pork, some macaroni and cheese, and some collards. My sister got the rice and gravy, the pulled pork, the catfish nuggets, macaroni and a few other odds and ends. She was a little upset that there was no corn on the buffet that day. They have a variety of sauces for your pork, and plenty of sides. The pork was very good, but I really enjoyed the hash and rice and the macaroni. The tea was delicious. My sister made two trips for catfish nuggets and rice and gravy, which in itself is a miracle because she's a very picky eater. The dining room was completely full by 12ish when we were leaving. The food here is great, the place is clean, and the people are nice. If you are looking for a traditional SC BBQ buffet here in Columbia, or just a place where there's a little something for everyone at a great price, you go to Doc's BBQ. read more

About 15 of my Citadel classmates, Class of 1969, held a mini-class reunion here during lunch yesterday. The food was good, and the staff was personable. It appeared to me that Doc's was popular with local military and law enforcement personnel. Doc's also gives a military discount. I ordered the buffet but only had pulled pork with mustard sauce, collard greens, green beans, and coleslaw. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Doc's is certainly worth a visit! The dining room is extremely clean and pleasant for a buffet. The side dishes were excellent and there were too many options to fit on just one plate. There were both hot and cold sides, desserts, multiple meats and sauces available on the line. The pricing was very reasonable for a buffet and I left happy. read more

I'm pescatarian and Doc's catered a lunch for my job recently. The vegetarian option was a salad. Usually when I tell people I don't eat meat, they give me a salad that is full of vegetables. Not Doc's! In addition to the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, it had chickpeas! I was pleased with the protein! They also included two different dressings, one Italian and the other Balsamic based. I was also able to eat the mac and cheese and it literally melted in my mouth; it was so good!!!! read more

What I want to know is if I can curl up and live here so I could eat this everyday. Well maybe not because then I'd gain a million or so pounds. At first, I was nervous because the line was out the door and I was on a lunch break. I was out of line and at the table with my food in 5 minutes. It's a buffet, but one that is fresh. Ive been here three times now and I've had only one dry piece of chicken. The catfish nuggets taste like heaven. The greens are a bit sweeter than my usual taste, but it has not yet stopped me from eating them. This place is wonderful if you're craving a good meal (or even just want a plate full of catfish nuggets) for a reasonable price (around 10-11) and have a time constraint. My ONLY complaint is that this place isn't open all day. It's Just for lunch. Go here. You will not regret it! read more

The first thing I wanted to do when I arrived in SC to visit family was have some REAL Southern cooking and BBQ. ....So we did =) This place is pretty good! We went during lunchtime and it must be a very popular place for military and government because they were everywhere! It's located near Downtown Columbia, almost like a hole in the wall. Their hash was delicious! Their BBQ was excellent and completely different from California BBQ! You really can't beat their buffet lunch price at $10, I think? I wouldn't mind visiting Doc's again next time I'm in South Carolina. read more

The atmosphere was nice. Great sweet tea. Good sides, but the BBQ on the buffet was subpar at best. The corn bread was very good! The staff at the counter wasn't the most friendly as a first timer here, it would have been nice to be greeted. I'll probably go back. Price was $41 for 3 lunch buffets so not sure if it was worth the cost though. read more

A little off the beaten bath, I was brought here by a heavily accented local who gave directions like, "Go up ahead a little yonder then turn right." These are the type of yelping experiences I yelp for. Anyway, true to it's name, it's a BBQ buffet. For $10 you can gorge yourself on all the southern staples... pulled pork, fried chicken, catfish nuggets, chicken wings, mac and cheese, collared greens, coleslaw, rice, beans, hash, oka, and cobbler are just the bits and pieces I remember from this blur of a meal. With plenty of different BBQ sauces to top, of course. This place is true to its name and makes no bones about it, although for a cheaper price you can skip the buffet and get a preset 1 meat, 2 or 3 sides type of meal, why bother? Trying everything here is all the fun, and as far as I can tell you just can't go wrong with anything they're serving. read more

Seemingly fresh ingredients prepared to be very boring, unexciting and pointless. I'm confused by this place. If you go to a restaurant you either like it or you don't(usually). This place, goes deeper. The restaurant inadvertently makes you ponder the meaning of life... in that Holden Caulfield/Catcher in the Rye sort of way. So, if you need a surreal life experience, go here. If you need good food, move on. read more

I do not eat here often because it is too good. It is too easy to overeat. I often take friends and they love it. i will be going back...too often. read more

They got somebody grandma in the back cooking this!! Oh My God!!! This is a well kept secret!! read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Oh My God!! - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Bbq buffet they have all the good stuff fried catfish and collard greens were really good none of it was bad get there early it gets crowded for good reason the food is great read more

I am not going into great detail, but for $9.95 how can you beat all you can eat pulled pork, rice, mac and cheese, etc? I did not try everything on the menu, but the crowd for lunch on a Monday was all I needed to see. The sauces were awesome and the hash was very tasty. I am a southern food neophyte so I have little to compare with, but everything I had was all I could have asked for. Would love to try some ribs next time. I may have to do that before I leave town. read more

Doc's Barbeque and Southern Buffet - Barbeque Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina